PETER OLADIPUPO

The promise of industrialization in Africa has been anticipated for far too long. Yet, I often wonder: how do we make it a reality? Even the simplest manufacturing endeavors remain overwhelmingly challenging for the continent. We have yet to master the ability—or crack the code—for basic chemical and materials manufacturing, or even the processing of Africa’s vast agricultural and mineral resources. Instead, we remain stuck in the primary sectors of farming, mining, resource extraction et al, which we have even yet to perfect.

It begs the question: when will the continent rise to the level of advanced manufacturing seen in other parts of the world? When will Africa develop the capacity and capabilities for semiconductor processing, robotics manufacturing, jet engine fabrication, and space device production?

I’ve been consumed by these questions for years and have often considered whether a simpler, more pragmatic approach might hold the key. An approach I find particularly promising is modularization. Specifically, modular chemical manufacturing, which is not at all a new concept, as it has been known for decades. However, its full potential has yet to be realized. In the developed world, industrial infrastructure and chemical plants were largely established before modularization gained prominence. Thus, demonstrating the transformative power of this approach requires a blank canvas—a region where industrial development is still in its infancy. And where better than Africa?

The beauty of modularization is the simplicity it affords, providing a practical means to significantly reduce the many barriers to industrialization in Africa. Is the market size too small to justify a large-scale facility? Modular plants can be scaled up incrementally as the market grows. Is there a lack of skilled labor to construct these plants locally? Modularization solves this by allowing prefabrication in highly skilled environments, with the modules shipped to their final destination for assembly and operation.

My point is modular manufacturing might just be the light that will finally illuminate Africa’s path to industrial transformation.